Community Financial Services Association: Spending Millions to Influence Congress and Protect the Interests of Payday Lenders

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Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) is the payday lending industry’s primary special interest trade association. This well-funded organization, spends millions of dollars lobbying and contributing to powerful politicians and currying favor with other powerful interests. The organization is led by Dennis Shaul who previously worked for the House Financial Services Committee before making a bee line to the revolving door for his current job, which pays him more than $500,000 a year to shill for the industry he once helped to oversee.

CFSA Works to Bend Laws and Regulations to the Will of Payday Lenders. “The Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) is the national organization dedicated to advancing financial empowerment for consumers through small dollar, short-term loans. Now in its 14th year, CFSA was established to promote laws and regulations that protect consumers, while preserving their access to credit options, and to support and encourage responsible payday advance industry practices.” [CFSA Website, Accessed 6/30/16]

CFSA Is Led by the Human Embodiment of Washington’s Revolving Door Culture of Influence, a Former Staffer of the House Financial Services Committee

Dennis Shaul Is the CEO of Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA)

Dennis Shaul Is The CEO of Community Financial Services Association of America. “Dennis Shaul is the chief executive officer for the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA). Established in 1999, CFSA is the national organization for small dollar, short-term lending, representing the majority of nonbank storefront lenders across the United States.” [Dennis Shaul Bio, American Banker]

Shaul Previously Worked for the House Financial Services Committee

Shaul Worked for the House Financial Services Committee. “Shaul became CFSA’s CEO in October 2012, following a total of more than ten years in the U.S. Congress. Most recently, he served as senior advisor to Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) on the House Financial Services Committee where he worked on the Dodd-Frank Bill and the development of practices regarding anti-money laundering.” [Dennis Shaul Bio, American Banker]

Shaul Was Paid Over Half a Million Dollars in 2014 and 2013 by CFSA

2014: $572,208 [CFSA’s 2014 IRS Form 990]

2013: $525,547 [CFSA’s 2013 IRS Form 990]

2012: $124,336 [CFSA’s 2012 IRS Form 990]

CFSA Receives Millions of Dollars in Funding Each Year from Payday Lenders

Payday Lenders “Overwhelmingly Locate in African-American and Latino Neighborhoods, Even After Controlling for Income and Other Factors”

Payday Lenders Overwhelmingly Locate in Communities of Color and These Communities “Make Up a Disproportionate Share of Payday Loan Borrowers.” “Our analysis reveals that payday lending storefronts are most heavily concentrated in African American and Latino communities in California, even when controlling for other factors which may influence a payday lender’s location such as household income. In addition, we find that the racial and ethnic composition of a neighborhood is the primary predictor of payday lending locations. This finding differs with an analysis of mainstream financial institutions such as banks, where the primary explanatory factors of location are not tied to race or ethnicity.” [Center for Responsible Lending, “Predatory Profiling,” 3/26/09]

From 2010-2014, CFSA Donated at Least $375,000 to African-American Groups

In 2014, CFSA Donated at Least $60,000 To African-American Groups. In 2014, CFSA donated $50,000 to the United States Black Chambers and $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation. [2014 CFSA Form 990]

In 2013, CFSA Donated at Least $85,000 To African-American Groups. In 2013, CFSA donated $50,000 to the United States Black Chambers and $35,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation. [2013 CFSA Form 990]

In 2012, CFSA Donated at Least $60,000 To African-American Groups. In 2012, CFSA donated $50,000 to the United States Black Chambers and $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation. [2012 CFSA Form 990]

In 2011, CFSA Donated at Least $110,000 To African-American Groups. In 2011, CFSA donated $100,000 to the United States Black Chambers and $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation. [2011 CFSA Form 990]

In 2010, CFSA Donated at Least $60,000 To African-American Groups. In 2010, CFSA donated $10,000 to the United States Black Chambers, $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation, $10,000 to the Congress of Racial Equality, and $30,000 to the National Alliance of African American Chambers. [2010 CFSA Form 990]

From 2010-2014, CFSA Donated at Least $575,000 to Hispanic Groups

In 2014, CFSA Donated at Least $110,000 To Hispanic Groups. In 2014, CFSA donated $110,000 to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [2014 CFSA Form 990]

In 2013, CFSA Donated at Least $110,000 To Hispanic Groups. In 2013, CFSA donated $10,000 to the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, $25,000 TO The NALEO Education Fund, and $75,000 to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [2013 CFSA Form 990]

In 2012, CFSA Donated at Least $135,000 To Hispanic Groups. In 2012, CFSA donated $10,000 to the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, $25,000 TO The NALEO Education Fund, and $100,000 to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [2012 CFSA Form 990]

In 2011, CFSA Donated at Least $160,000 To Hispanic Groups. In 2011, CFSA donated $10,000 to the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, $40,000 TO The NALEO Education Fund, $10,000 to LULAC, and $100,000 to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [2011 CFSA Form 990]

In 2010, CFSA Donated at Least $60,000 To Hispanic Groups. In 2010, CFSA donated $10,000 to the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, $40,000 TO The NALEO Education Fund, and $10,000 to LULAC. [2010 CFSA Form 990]

Meanwhile, CFSA Has No Minorities on Its Board of Directors (and Only Three Women)…

No Minorities, Only 3 Women on CFSA Board. Of the CFSA’s fourteen board members, there are only three women and no minorities. [CFSA Website, Accessed 6/30/16]

…And Contributed Heavily to Right-Wing Group That Works to Make It Harder for African-americans and Hispanics to Vote

CFSA Has Contributed Tens-of-Thousands of Dollars to ALEC Over the Years

Flurry of Voter Id Laws Tied to Conservative Group ALEC. “A growing number of conservative Republican state legislators worked fervently during the past two years to enact laws requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls. Lawmakers proposed 62 photo ID bills in 37 states in the 2011 and 2012 sessions, with multiple bills introduced in some states. Ten states have passed strict photo ID laws since 2008, though several may not be in effect in November because of legal challenges. A News21 analysis found that more than half of the 62 bills were sponsored by members or conference attendees of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a Washington, D.C., tax-exempt organization.” [NBC News Investigations, “Flurry of Voter Id Laws Tied to Conservative Group ALEC,” 8/21/12]

CFSA’s Political Action Committee Has Contributed at Least $688,671 to the Campaigns of Candidates for U.S. Congress and Senate from 2008-2014. [Center for Responsive Politics]

Wasserman Schultz, Debbie (FL) – $17,000

Hastings, Alcee (FL) – $15,000

Luetkemeyer, Blaine (MO) – $15,000

Meek, Kendrick (FL) – $14,600

Meeks, Gregory (NY) – $13,000

McConnell, Mitch (KY) – $12,000

McHenry, Patrick (NC) – $10,999

Shelby, Richard (AL) – $10,600

Toomey, Pat (PA) – $10,100

Clay Jr., William (MO) – $10,000

Stivers, Steve (OH) – $10,000

Reid, Harry (NV) – $8,800

Davis, Lincoln (TN) – $8,000

Kanjorski, Paul (PA) – $8,000

Schmidt, Jean (OH) – $8,000

Crapo, Mike (ID) – $7,500

Hensarling, Jeb (TX) – $7,000

Sherman, Brad (CA) – $7,000

Vitter, David (LA) – $7,000

Westmoreland, Lynn (GA) – $7,000

Corker, Bob (TN) – $6,500

Capito, Shelley Moore (WV) – $6,000

Cuellar, Henry (TX) 6000

Fincher, Steve (TN) – $6,000

Garrett, Scott (NJ) – $6,000

Murphy, Patrick (PA) – $6,000

Price, Tom (GA) – $6,000

Ross, Dennis (FL) – $6,000

Scott, Tim (SC) – $6,000

Sessions, Pete (TX) – $6,000

Shuler, Heath (NC) – $6,000

Warner, Mark (VA) – $5,500

Murkowski, Lisa (I-AK) – $5,300

Thune, John (SD) – $5,300

Barrasso, John (WY) – $5,000

Barrow, John (GA) – $5,000

Canseco, Francisco (TX) – $5,000

Cardenas, Tony (CA) – $5,000

Carney, John (DE) – $5,000

Chabot, Steve (OH) – $5,000

Cornyn, John (TX) – $5,000

Costa, Jim (CA) – $5,000

DeMint, Jim (SC) – $5,000

Garcia, Joe (FL) – $5,000

Grassley, Chuck (IA) – $5,000

Heck, Dennis (WA) – $5,000

Heller, Dean (NV) – $5,000

Herrera Beutler, Jaime (WA) – $5,000

Johanns, Mike (NE) – $5,000

Johnson, Tim (SD) – $5,000

King, Steven A (IA) – $5,000

Manchin, Joe (WV) – $5,000

McCarthy, Kevin (CA) – $5,000

McMorris Rodgers, Cathy (WA) – $5,000

Mulvaney, Mick (SC) – $5,000

Nelson, Bill (FL) – $5,000

Neugebauer, Randy (TX) – $5,000

Paton, Jonathan (AZ) – $5,000

Perlmutter, Edwin G (CO) – $5,000

Rogers, Hayden (NC) – $5,000

Royce, Ed (CA) – $5,000

Strickland, Tony (CA) – $5,000

Towns, Edolphus (NY) – $5,000

Wagner, Ann L (MO) – $5,000

Wilson, Heather A (NM) – $5,000

Yoder, Kevin (KS) – $5,000

Pierluisi, Pedro (3-PR) – $4,800

Sires, Albio (NJ) – $4,600

Hall, John (NY) – $4,500

Bachus, Spencer (AL) – $4,000

Brown, Sherrod (OH) – $4,000

Ross, Mike (AR) – $4,000

Bachmann, Michele (MN) – $3,500

Bean, Melissa (IL) – $3,500

Donnelly, Joe (IN) – $3,500

Wittman, Rob (VA) – $3,500

Frank, Barney (MA) – $3,300

Boswell, Leonard (IA) – $3,000

Butterfield, G K (NC) – $3,000

Cardoza, Dennis (CA) – $3,000

Conway, Jack (KY) – $3,000

Davis, Geoff (KY) – $3,000

Gowdy, Trey (SC) – $3,000

Klein, Ron (FL) – $3,000

Kuhl, John R Jr (NY) – $3,000

Maloney, Carolyn B (NY) – $3,000

Noem, Kristi (SD) – $3,000

Renacci, Jim (OH) – $3,000

Roskam, Peter (IL) – $3,000

Altmire, Jason (PA) – $2,500

Barr, Andy (KY) – $2,500

Bayh, Evan (IN) – $2,500

Davis, Danny K (IL) – $2,500

Fleischmann, Chuck (TN) – $2,500

Gerlach, Jim (PA) – $2,500

Hagan, Kay R (NC) – $2,500

Landrieu, Mary L (LA) – $2,500

Neal, Richard E (MA) – $2,500

Spratt, John M Jr (SC) – $2,500

Udall, Tom (NM) – $2,500

Ryan, Tim (OH) – $2,300

Ackerman, Gary (NY) – $2,000

Ayotte, Kelly (NH) – $2,000

Barletta, Lou (PA) – $2,000

Barrett, Gresham (SC) – $2,000

Blackburn, Marsha (TN) – $2,000

Boozman, John (AR) – $2,000

Cantor, Eric (VA) – $2,000

Carter, John (TX) – $2,000

Coats, Dan (IN) – $2,000

Feeney, Tom (FL) – $2,000

Foster, Bill (IL) – $2,000

Garamendi, John (CA) – $2,000

Gillibrand, Kirsten (NY) – $2,000

Graham, Lindsey (SC) – $2,000

Haridopolos, Mike (FL) – $2,000

Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie (SD) – $2,000

Lincoln, Blanche (AR) – $2,000

McCotter, Thaddeus G (MI) – $2,000

Melancon, Charles (LA) – $2,000

Michaud, Mike (ME) – $2,000

Miller, Jeff (FL) – $2,000

Miller, Joe (AK) – $2,000

Moore, Dennis (KS) – $2,000

Moore, Gwen (WI) – $2,000

Murray, Patty (WA) – $2,000

Rogers, Mike D (AL) – $2,000

Rubio, Marco (FL) – $2,000

Schiff, Adam (CA) – $2,000

Scott, David (GA) – $2,000

Carney, Chris (PA) – $1,500

Jones, Walter B Jr (NC) – $1,500

Arcuri, Mike (NY) – $1,000

Barton, Joe (TX) – $1,000

Bishop, Sanford (GA) – $1,000

Boren, Dan (OK) – $1,000

Brown, Scott (MA) – $1,000

Burr, Richard (NC) – $1,000

Buyer, Steve (IN) – $1,000

Calvert, Ken (CA) – $1,000

Casey, Bob (PA) – $1,000

Castle, Michael N (DE) – $1,000

Cazayoux, Don (LA) – $1,000

Chambliss, Saxby (GA) – $1,000

Cramer, Bud (AL) – $1,000

Culberson, John (TX) – $1,000

Dent, Charlie (PA) – $1,000

Diaz-Balart, Lincoln (FL) – $1,000

Dodd, Chris (CT) – $1,000

Dorgan, Byron L (ND) – $1,000

Ellsworth, Brad (IN) – $1,000

Enzi, Mike (WY) – $1,000

Fitzgerald, Jeff (WI) – $1,000

Griffin, Tim (AR) – $1,000

Guthrie, Brett (KY) – $1,000

Halvorson, Deborah (IL) – $1,000

Harris, Andy (MD) – $1,000

Hill, Baron (IN) – $1,000

Horsford, Steven (NV) – $1,000

Inhofe, James M (OK) – $1,000

Isakson, Johnny (GA) – $1,000

Johnson, Hank (GA) – $1,000

Jones, Stephanie Tubbs (OH) – $1,000

King, Pete (NY) – $1,000

Kissell, Larry (NC) – $1,000

Kosmas, Suzanne (FL) – $1,000

Kratovil, Frank (MD) – $1,000

Lamborn, Douglas L (CO) – $1,000

Larson, John B (CT) – $1,000

Latta, Robert E (OH) – $1,000

Lee, Christopher J (NY) – $1,000

Levin, Sander (MI) – $1,000

Lipinski, Daniel (IL) – $1,000

Mahoney, Tim (FL) – $1,000

Marchant, Kenny (TX) – $1,000

McCaul, Michael (TX) – $1,000

Meehan, Patrick (PA) – $1,000

Minnick, Walt (ID) – $1,000

Murphy, Tim (PA) – $1,000

Nelson, Ben (NE) – $1,000

Owens, Bill (NY) – $1,000

Perry, Jeff (MA) – $1,000

Pryor, Mark (AR) – $1,000

Rehberg, Denny (MT) – $1,000

Reichert, Dave (WA) – $1,000

Rush, Bobby L (IL) – $1,000

Ryun, Jim (KS) – $1,000

Scalise, Steve (LA) – $1,000

Schock, Aaron (IL) – $1,000

Sink, Alex (FL) – $1,000

Smith, Lamar (TX) – $1,000

Speier, Jackie (CA) – $1,000

Tanner, John (TN) – $1,000

Thompson, Glenn (PA) – $1,000

Udall, Mark (CO) – $1,000

Vela, Filemon (TX) – $1,000

Walberg, Tim (MI) – $1,000

Webster, Daniel (FL) – $1,000

Wicker, Roger (MS) – $1,000

Wilson, Charlie (OH) – $1,000

Fallin, Mary (OK) – $500

Thurmond, Paul (SC) – $500

Mandel, Josh (OH) – $472

TOTAL – $688,671

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